That's great news Kevin , one of us at least going circuit racing Sorry I can't support but will be at Goodwood on Monday 26th and loading etc Sunday . Weather doesn't look very promising for either of us Last time out I was up against Radicals , PR6 & 2 SR3 drivers so no chance of winning , just beating my own PB time

Discovered neither myself or the Stylus are cut out for racing. I managed to finish qualifying but had to pull up in both races.

Got to the circuit 10.30 in the evening. Found some hard standing amongst the MGs. In the morning I attended the novice briefing at 7.45 & driver signing on. Scrutineering was straight forward & easier than I have experienced during sprint/hillclimbs.

To qualify a minimum of 3 laps are required. The quickest time is the grid position for the 1st race, 2nd quickest for the 2nd race. Its fair to say I was all at sea driving the circuit. At 3 miles its fairly long & only having enough time to fit 5 laps in I never got the best out of it. Having to give way frequently for very fast cars usually got me way off line. Added to my own inability was the fact that the exhaust downpipe came off the manifold ! Also the gear leaver selector came off so the gear lever flopped about. I trundled around in 3rd gear just to make sure I qualified.

As I was pre occupied on fixing the gear lever problem I forgot to attend the drivers briefing. So had to visit to the Clerk of the Course for a reprimand. Dont know why the exhaust came adrift but bolted it back together.

Race 1. I started 2nd from last Had a reasonable start but could not keep to grips with the Nelson/Bomb Hole/Coram section & lost considerably there. On the straight I was impressed that the car could gain towards the end of the straight on a lot of cars. After a couple of overtakes & gaining familiarity of the circuit I was happy about my progress. Until the exhaust came apart again & the heat melted the engine management wires. Race over on lap 3.

This time after refiting the exhaust my pit crew drove a Self tapper through the coupling & with the wires repaired & a quick heat shield fabricated I was ready for race 2.

Race 2. Started 4th from last. Had a great start & really mixed it with the pack ahead. Im sure my sprinting training gave me a great advantage of going flat out from the start. I cant remember how many cars I overtook in the 1st half of the lap before holding station, but was surprised myself. Managed to get a bit further around lap 3 this time before stopping. Dont know if Iv blown the engine but - the alternator & oil pump belt's had both come off & hence no oil. I switched off pretty quickly but heard a couple of clunks as I killed the engine.

Havent had a look at the engine yet, but overall had a great day & experience despite the problems. Also met a lot of friendly folk whom made me welcome. Dont know if Ill be back - depends on my findings.

Well done you for having a go at it Kev Circuit racing is all our dreams I think but the potential repair bills plus entry fees are way too scary for me , although I'd really like to measure myself against others . The thought of having mine written off doesn't appeal -- I'd never be able to afford another build

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